Top Natural Remedies for Interstitial Cystitis Relief

I have just had bladder distension & cysto and confirmed I have CI today. The urologist has put me on some temporary antibiotics and told me about Elmiron. I have done enough research on this drug not to consider it. As I have read in this blog, the medical profession does NOT know how it works. For those of you who found relief, I'm glad. I am choosing to go the natural remedy route first and your site has helped a great deal.

I have found a hot bath before bed helps with the spasms for me. I went from going to the bathroom 10 times a night to 1-3 times. For me this was a small miracle... it literally happened the first night.

From the research I have read about IC, I am not suprised I have it. I have had endometrosis, I have sjorgren's. Firbrolymalgia, arithritis, diabetes-ALL autoimmue related. I will read the books mentioned on this site and continue to learn as much as much as possible.

Thank you for your help and good luck to all of us!

Jo--I was diagnosed wih IC in Jan. Of 2007. I have found since that I had many food sensitivities that caused IC flair-ups. In addition to acidic foods, chocolate, caffeine, I am sensitive to corn, oats, most nuts and most cheeses. If I avoid these foods, I have little pain. The frequency, however, I have not resolved. I still get up an average of 10 times at night and struggle with insomnina as well. I will try your hot bath at night suggestion. Also, I use a product called Arthrosoothe that helps with the pain. I get it from Designs for Health; it's about $36 for a month's supply.

Let me know of your progress with this disease. It is a tough one. Maybe we can all help one another.

You sound exactly like me. Human Growth Hormone Homeopathic Spray helps me get back to sleep faster and dream more. I spray it in my mouth at night after I pee. I used to stay awake almost all night!

Side effects for me are bad digestion, IBS. CAN"T take it. Also can't take that hyaluronic acid either (eyes feel like sand in them) Any other ideas to heal the GAG layer (glycosaminoglycan layer)?

Found a Glucosamine and Chondritan that doesn't bother my GI tract that much if taken w/food. It's sold at an IC site CystoP*****. Maybe it's because it's got Olive Kernal in it, which makes it more bio available. I take 4x per day (1 capsel per day) rather than twice per day (2 capsels per meal). Already see a small differance after 4 months. Constant flair is gone, and can have salty snacks and sometimes blueberries now. I had gone crazy w/blueberries over the last few yrs since getting this and I seem to have developed a problem w/them.

Update on this Glucosomine & Chondroitin: I found that when I take it, the Quercetin makes me VERY hot only at night. I tested this by just taking Quercetin. Same result. The heat radiates from my vagina! I am 48 yrs old, and having night flashes, but this is ridiculous. I had to quit the product. I had tried it for a few months and I wasn't gettting much sleep. I just got hotter and hotter. I hear it helps alot of other people though as stated by their testimonials on-line. I called the company, and they said that they had not had this complaint before. Maybe I will need to try another brand.

Mel,

I was wondering if you noticed any stool discoloration with taking the gelatin, because I have noticed reddish coloring when going to restroom since starting the gelatin about 3 days ago.

I have a Question about Interstitial Cystitis. I have not been told that's what I have yet but I have a lot of the symptoms. I'm 28 years old and have 3 children. I had my last child 17 months ago. I got an IUD 16 months ago. I have never had any problems with my bladder till about three months ago. It started with bacterial infection, yeast infection and I was treated for bladder infections. I was treated with antibiotics and symptoms would go away but keep coming back. My urine was also tested and the was no infection in my urine. So my doctor told me to see a Urologist. Is there a possibility my bladder problem could be caused my the IUD? And if not How can I test to see if it is in fact Interstitial Cystitis?

There is, in fact, no special test to diagnose IC. The doctors review your symptoms and test for bacteria. If no infection is found then they go right to the IC diagnosis. I don't have an IUD so I can't help you there but my symptoms started the way yours did (with the uti's, yi's and bv... I constantly had something going on down there. I was diagnosed last year after I had a cysto with a biopsy done to rule out anything life threatening. He wanted to put me on Elmiron, but the side effects were very alarming to me, so I decided against it. I now only have periodic flare ups, actually going through one now :( I have been next to symptom free for the past eight months. Right now I'm throwing everything I got at the IC... Uva ursi, turmeric, oregano oil, msm and I'm looking into other herbs. I hope you find some relief. God Bless!

Yes there is a test that can be done. I had the test done last week at my obgyn office. A Registered Nurse did the test. When it came to the potassium omg I thought I would die , it felt like a blow torch was burning my insides. This is how they tell you have I C. So I have been looking at natural things I can do for this and I will keep hunting and researching on this matter. I did just try the baking soda and water and I had instant relief. More than likely because people with IC are very acidic. So I am going to try to get my acid level down. You should get some urine test strips and check your urine to see if you are alkaline which is what it should be. I will see how I do. Will keep in touch. I also suffered for yrs with UTIs all the time.

I don't recall her exact words but I understood my doctor to say the only way to get the diagnosis is to have a biopsy. OH, NO, NO, NO! My bladder has been truamatized enough through multiple bladder surgeries which created this condition to begin with. Even the insertion of a catherter tube caused spasmatic episodes for days. How I wish, before the surgery, I had had the pelvic floor PT. It did wonders for me and I might have been able to avoid this whole mess.

Jean I noticed you said you have Sjogrens and IC. I have them both as well. I have successfully used Elmiron. It takes a while (a year) to notice a difference, but it has changed my life. I would be very cautious about using supplements without checking with your rheumatologist because certain supplements can cause major problems with autoimmune conditions like Sjogrens. Two great resources are Women and Autoimmune Disease by Dr. Robert Lahita and The Interstitial Cystitis Survival Guide by Dr. Robert Moldwin. Both are experts in their fields. Have you been given Restatis eye drops? They really help the dry eye. Also, elimination diet for the IC is essential. Best of luck to you.

http://www.wellbladder.com/bladder_symptoms__gluten_sensitivity

Thought you wrote this. Looks like you (the author) wrote this. I will quote part from above: "

But there was a glimmer of hope from the small percentage of people who seemed to heal spontaneously through a holistic approach involving self-treatment, relaxation, stress reduction, and purposeful attention to diet. One of the food sensitivities mentioned frequently was gluten. Patients in support groups for disorders like IC and celiac disease, a hereditary, autoimmune form of gluten intolerance, self-reported that eliminating gluten helped resolve their bladder symptoms, and in many cases, it was the only "treatment" that made a significant difference. " Anyways it advertises your book and talks about gluten being a big cause! Thanks.

I had bladder surgery (cysto) and that is how my IC was diagnosed. I have had it for approx 15 years. I recently had another bladder stretching and now am getting an implant to help control the spasms. I am a Grade 3 and have tried everything to control or maintain the pain from IC.

Do all of you use boric acid, or is this a mistake, and you meant to say borax (which kills fungus?) I thought boric acid was poisonous.

It's something that dehydrates the tissues. I have noticed this, when I have done it. It will also burn if done too frequently. It is used for bugs. They lick it off their feet and they get dehydrated and die. I suggest to use in an emergency only.

Boric acid capsels can be premade for emergencies and kept with you. I fill only to 1/2 full or I can get a burning sensation. I put them in my purse in case I flair and have to drive a long way, or fly on a plane all day. They can be inserted in any restroom really fast if you have your purse with you. I premake a few for if I can't sleep due to pain and urgency, and I want quick relief. Works in 15 min to 1/2 hr for me. Keep with the tampons in your purse. It can save a vacation, or a dinner out, that's for sure!

Hi Renae, I take Quercitin twice a day for my allergies. You got me worried by saying that it is pro-oxidant..... Maybe I should stop. Anyway, I didn't feel that it helped me much although I took it together with Vit. C, other vitamins and Evening Primrose Oil. I thought that Quercitin was quite harmless....

If I take 2 quercetin per day, my skin gets all wrinkled in the morning from my P. J. S and stays that way for hours. My skin is actually Puffy! Just type Quercetin and pro-inflamitory in a search engine for more info. Remember I take 4 tea bags of Camomile 3X per day also, and this contains Quercetin.

I'm wondering if the coconut oil is still helping and how long it took to see results. I have been taking both the water and oil for nearly 1 week, with no decrease in symptoms. Thank you.

Hello Kelly from Chicago,
Could you, please, let me know how much coconut oil you were taking and who is the manufacturer. Thank you very much in advance. Best regards. Aron.

Amen sister! I agree with you on the bogus diagnosis. Coconut oil reduces yeast. I'm on the yeast diet and progesterone. No more docs screwing up my lady parts! :D

Am very interested in the couch grass. cannot locate it. Where did you find it?

Uti or interstitial cystitis and acid/alkaline

Please read this if you have a UTI or IC!! I have been researching and this is my conclusion: Your urine is either too acid OR too alkaline. It may have caused bacteria to grow, or if cultures couldn't detect bacteria, it could just be irritated as in IC. I always read that my urine was too acidic. When I tried to make it more alkaline I was even more miserable! Once, when I was taking a barley powder product for it's health benefits, my bladder got worse. It was too alkalinizing. I read that DISTILLED WATER was very acidic, so I chugged a gallon that day. What a relief! (One wouldn't want to drink distilled water for more than three days, as prolonged use can be detrimental, but it is easy on the struggling kidney and bladder.)

Make sure you know if your urine is too acidic or too alkaline before you treat yourself. You can buy testing strips at a pharmacy. The doctors in our rural area would think I was weird if I started talking about natural cures and acid/alkaline. Be your own doctor if possible. Best wishes.

How much cinnamon do you take daily? Do you take capsules already premade or use fresh? Thanks.

Hi Donna,

I live in NC but used to live in Ann Arbor, Mi! Hope you are doing well. I have suffered from pelvic pain for a while - I believe it's IC, as it flares up after I drink coffee, eat chocolate, or eat strawberries or tomatoes. I read your post and bought cinnamon capsules. I would love to know if you or anybody on this post has had luck with cinnamon - how many 500 mg capsules should I take every day to feel a difference?

Thanks! Emily

Be careful with Cinnamon, it's a major IC bladder irritant for me.

IC Home Remedies

I have a mild case of IC and hoping is doesn't worsen. I notice that stress, spicey foods and menstral cycle provokes flare ups.

I am curious if the apple cider vinegar will really help prevent IC or if it is toooo acidic???

My home remedies for IC are: aloe vera juice (very concentrated) daily, Buffered Vit C, marshallow roots boiled as tea to neutralize urine for temporary and effective relief, the product called "___" for temporary relief, and pin pointing and relaxing specific abdomen muscles. The aloe vera juice seems to be very effective.

I would also like to try the baking soda and will keep it on hand at work for emergency relief. My father has always used the baking soda for stomach pain.

I have found the Marshallow Root to be very helpful for flare-ups. The Baking Soda did not help me but Apple Cider Vinager has been helpful. I get flare-ups the same as you - stress, certain foods and during that time of the month. I am also prone to bladder infections and collidoial silver has been helpful for these.

Yes to Marshmallow Tea. I have found it helpful as well.

Peroxide, Iodine and Organic foods for Interstitial Cystitis

I started having IC symptoms over a year ago, and was diagnosed earlier this year. I tried prescription antibiotics, antifungals with minimal results. I am convinced now that IC is an infection of the bladder by microscopic parasites (schistosomes - look up Hulda Clark and IC) and fungus, because antiparasitic herbs, salts, iodine, peroxide, antifungal herbs, and other antimicrobial treatments have kept my symptoms completely gone for many months.

I started on one drop of 35% food grade h2o2 x3 daily to 25 drops. I stayed on the max dose for 3 months. I am now on a maintenance dose of 5. I also consumed about 300-500mg of iodine thoroughly mixed in 1/2 gallon fresh homemade wheatgrass juice daily. I was on this range for about 3 months also. I am now on a maintenance dose of 50-100mg daily. Other changes I made this past year was to switch to all organic, down to my condiments, personal care products, etc. I also moved out to the country here in MT, where water and air is fresher and cleaner. I regularly douche with a mixture of equal parts peroxide and acv, with a tbsp of borax per cup of liquid mixture.

IC is a complex illness, and it takes commitment to major fundamental changes in one's life to see significant changes for the better.

Thanks

My daughter has suffered with IC for two years. She lost out on going away to college this year because of her constant pain and flair ups. I went to at least 8 different doctors and many hospital stays for pain control. I took her to my good old family doctor for a flu bug and told him about her problems. He ran allergy tests and found she is highly allergic to Yeast. She has Candida which is an over growth of yeast through out her whole body and it is inflaming her bladder. Look up yeast connection and women. Your answer is there!

I wanted to know what the doctor prescribed for Leslie's daughter for the yeast allergy. I have also been diagnosed with a yeast allergy and have IC. Thanks, Melissa

this is a reply to husseypat-- evian and fiji have the best ph, which is a 7. many people drink these when trying to alkalinize their bodies... hope this helps!

Essentia 9.5 ph - I bought at Whole Foods

Aqua Hydrate pH 9 + bought at GNC

Elizabeth, that's awesome you found something to rid your pain! Has the turmeric continued to give you relief?

Elizabeth, I am so happy to know that you have found relief from IC with Turmeric. I am going to try this one. Also, I wanted to know what home remedies you have tried for your BV/IC because as many other women on here I am on a cycle of IC, then yeast infection, then BV over and over again. It has been the worst pain/experience of my life. Thank you for sharing what works for you.

I was thrilled to find this site and spent several hours reading about IC. It is so refreshing to be able to communicate with others who are experiencing what I am experiencing. I don't believe I have IC, but I believe I have the precursors to it. I sailed through four bladder surgeries, but the fifth, a year ago, traumatized my bladder and turned my life upside-down. Although I do not have the intense pain of IC, I do have painful urination, I do have daily episodes of acute inflammation and spasms and have to follow a low acidic diet to maintain control. I now have a potty chair next to my bed so that I avoid most night-time accidents. I adjust the leg length to tip the front forward a bit, which allows me to empty my bladder more quickly and completely. With the chair nearby and a draw on my bed, I also am able to avoid wearing protection at night, which helps helps with UTIs. The potty chair is also raised, which is much more comfortable than using a lower commode.

I am very eager to try the boric acid, turmeric, coconut oil, oregano oil, and marshmallow root. During flair-ups, tiny amounts of baking soda are moderately successful but I will increase my dosage. While I am going to try the apple- cider vinegar, I am cautious. I know that vinegars are very acidic in nature and and bother me tremendously, so I will introduce ACV VERY slowly. I had tried taking large amounts of cold-press aloe vera juice with not much success, but I will try the distilled concentrate to see if that has more benefit. Potassium citrate would tear me up (citric acid. ) and DSMO causes a strong and very unusual body odor, so I'll save that one for last. I have IB with diarrhea as well as OB, which are related, and the generic little green anti-diarrheal pills help tremedously with both conditions. If anyone knows something cheap and natural which would replace these, please let me know. I take probiotics.

I make my own low-acid coffee by mixing equal parts coffee (decaf is STRONGLY recommended for IC patients) and cold purified/distilled water, and storing it in a dark container in cool dark place or 18 hours. I then filter out the grounds to make a coffee concentrate that can be stored in the frig for up to a month. To make coffee, rule of thumb is 12 oz hot water to 2 tablespoons of the coffee concentrate, but adjust for personal taste.

I recently had a urinalysis with culture and the e'coli is still present. The doctor wants to put me back on a med that created terrible joint pain for me, then put me on a maintainance antibiotic. I don't want to go there! This time I am going to treat everything including the IBS-D aggressively. A big bottle of D'Mannose, along with UviUrsi, Mashmello, Digest Advantage (for the IBS-D, )probiotics, Activea, ( more probiotics) Coconut Oil. My doctor may not appreciate me but I'll go down and get the second urinalysis she ordered to test for cure, so I will know if it working. If not, then I'll have to do the antibiotics.

Thanks to everyone for the input.

As Chrerieh said I started using equal parts apple cider vinegar and hydrogen peroxide as a douche twic a day, I have been using it since yesterday and I already feel better!!

I am taking the supplement MSM for IC, asmtha, IBS among other things. The problem is that I cannot take Vitamin C due to my bladder problem...Is there another form of Vitamin C that would not aggravate my IC? I'm asking because I have read that Vitamin C helps the absorption of MSM tremendously.

buffered C but be careful. try a little first to see how you handle it.

Dear Elizabeth,
I read your posting and knowing that you were looking for a form of vitamin C which is friendly to IC patients, I have been using a product called "Advan C" by NSI. This vitamin C's main ingredientce is: Advan-C mineral ascorbate complex. Together with this formula is: Calcium threonate and citrus bioflavonoid complex. I wish you can receive this e-mail and will be able to get this product. It is such a loss if you cannot take Vitamin C with the MSM. They do work together very well for IC pain. You may add 500 mg of turmeric, 3 times day. Another product is "Bladder Q" by a company called The Natural Bladder. You have to take it for 4-6 weeks to clear the flare up. But it is well worth it. Hope the above will help you relieve the pain and May God bless you. Five loaves

This is for Les from WA regarding my IC post....thank you for your comment...They'll be more posts to come...I am always looking for new treatments and supplements so I will definetely keep EC updated...

Best to you all!!!

Looking for name of drug store over-the-counter product you take to neutralize acid.

Thks for you info .... very helpful. gail

WORKED TEMPORARILY

i have suffered from IC for the past 10 years. it has caused extreme, constant pain bringing on bouts of depression i never had. i had read about apple cider vinegar and its benefits. over holidays, tried it, two tablespoons in an 8 ounce glass of water twice a week. for a week i was virtually pain free and realized it had to be the vinegar. walked today and am hurting. does anyone else hurt after walking? took baking soda, 1/2 tablespoon to 8 ounces of water for relief. this seems to help for a "quickie relief". IC is a horrible disease that gives you pain 24 hours a day. have seen four urologists in four states. elmiron did not help. when pain is really bad lasts too long i do have percoset for my migraines that is a last resort. it gives me a day of relief. working and just living are difficult with this constant pain. hoping the vinegar will continue to help. any other folks finding that vinegar relieves? doctors send me in the same circle, cystoscopes, CT scans, cultures, different meds like Urelle. i've spent a fortune.

I have had IC for quite sometime. I am going to a chiropractor now (not your typical one) and he is treating me with laser treatments and acupuncture. It seems to be helping, but I did just start. You may want to give that a try. I've had more problems solved/questions answered going this route than I have for the past 6 years plus of doctor visits, tests, and "treatments".

Hi All, I'm on the west coast of Canada and I find that much of what you mention I cannot find. I must admit though that I've just started to try natural remedies after feeling that western medicine has failed me!!! I feel pressure EVERY DAY and pain every day. I'm depressed and isolate. The only thing that's helped me is working out and drinking a lot of water (3-4 ltrs per day). I have tried baking soda but only get mild relief. PLEASE could anyone make suggestions to me about how to get relief and what products would be available in Canada. Also, what type of natural dr. could I see to assist me in this new journey in medicine I'm committed to trying.

Thanks to any and all that help and to all of your for your posts!!!

Turmeric in Indian stores is pretty pure - and because of high turnover it is a lot fresher than that in the regular grocery. You may be thinking of asafotida, which is often cut with rice flour. In any case, simply drying the root in the sun isn't enough to suitably cure it, but you can buy the dried root whole in many Indian stores and grind it yourself. If you do this look for "haldi root" - and be SURE to bash it into small pieces in your mortar & pestle before attempting to grind it in a coffee grinder. If you try to grind it whole or in large pieces it will break your coffee grinder. I know as I have broken parts of blades this way. The dried root is super hard. I cook tons of Indian food and used to grind my own from scratch, but have given up as it's just too darn hazardous to my equipment.

I just read your post, even thought it was written about 2 years go. I hope that you are doing much better. Just wanted to let you know that you live very close to one of the best doctors in the country. Dr. Barry Jarnagin is absolutely awesome. Just Google his name and you will be very impressed. I cannot say enough great things about how wonderful he is. Not only did he help me get my IC under control, he also diagnosed a hernia that everyone else missed. Feel free to email me if you need to chat.

I read your post here and am interested, I've had IC in 2003- 04 for about a year, Sat before last it started back... I'm just sooo depressed about this and in pain most of the time. I've been through all that back then, and can't tolerate the idea of going through all that again.

We thought it my just be a regular UTI but now I'm thinking it''s IC back. Burning, pain, and urgency. Thanks, Bobbie.

Potassium citrate is alkalizing to the blood and urine. It is used to raise the urine's pH in order to dissolve kidney stones. It is not acidic like someone had mentioned above...

Do you mean DMSO medically inserted into the bladder? Or cream applied to the area? I love DMSO and would love more info on how you used it.